Case Study 3
Overview
In my private clinical practice as a psychologist, I worked closely with children and adolescents—many of whom were navigating autism spectrum conditions, depression, and trauma. I quickly saw how traditional therapy settings—closed offices, rigid chairs, white walls—often created more distress than relief.
To support emotional safety and trust, I began co-creating therapeutic environments with my clients. Sessions took place in parks, on walks, under trees, or inside homemade fabric tents in public spaces. Every detail—from the setting to the sensory rhythm—was shaped in partnership with the child.
The Problem
Conventional therapy rooms often felt intimidating, overstimulating, or disconnected
Children with autism or depression needed choice, agency, and sensory awareness in order to feel safe
Most therapeutic models lacked flexibility to adapt to the emotional and neurobiological needs of the client
There were few therapeutic environments designed with user participation and environmental UX in mind
My Role
Clinical Psychologist & Emotional UX Designer
Co-Facilitator of Therapy Contexts
Family Collaborator and Trust Builder
Objectives
Design therapy environments rooted in safety, flexibility, and child agency
Honor the sensory and emotional needs of neurodivergent and highly sensitive clients
Integrate nature, movement, and nonverbal communication into therapeutic flow
Create a space where healing can begin on the child’s own terms
Process
1. Listening First
With each client, I began by asking:
“Where would you feel most comfortable talking to me?”
Answers became the blueprint for our therapeutic space.
2. Co-Creating the Setting
We met in parks, on walking trails, beneath trees, inside makeshift tents, or wherever the child felt safest. These locations often reduced sensory overwhelm and restored autonomy—especially for clients on the autism spectrum or in depressive episodes.
3. Parent Integration
Parents were included in the process through collaborative consent, grounding rituals, and occasional closing reflections—allowing therapy to feel integrated, not isolated.
4. Observing the Impact
I documented changes in emotional openness, trust, regulation, and verbal expression across environments. Nature, freedom of movement, and sensory adaptation consistently led to deeper connection.
Tools I Used
Natural Environments · Fabrics & Symbolic Items · Sensory Grounding Techniques · Nonverbal Storytelling · Observation Logs · Consent & Feedback Rituals
Key Insights
For children with autism and depression, environment is not neutral—it’s decisive
Agency over space and mode of interaction fosters emotional safety and trust
Nature and movement are powerful co-regulators in therapeutic settings
Designing therapy collaboratively repositions the client as a co-creator of their own healing journey
Impact
Children previously disengaged in traditional therapy became consistent and expressive participants
Neurodivergent clients (especially those with ASD or depression) showed improved regulation, confidence, and emotional vocabulary
Parents reported feeling more connected to the process and better equipped to support their children
This model became foundational to how I now approach UX:
Let the user shape the space where they feel safe.
Reflection
This wasn’t just therapy. It was experience design through empathy, nature, and co-agency.
I learned that true emotional UX begins by stepping outside the room—and letting the child guide the way.
As a researcher and designer, I now hold one question in every project I do:
What would this look like if it were designed by the person who needs it most?
Experience 2021-2025
Santiago